The House on Sugar Beach

The House on Sugar Beach

Written By. Helene Copper

Helene Cooper, a descendent of two Liberian dynasties, shares with her readers the experiences she's had growing up as a privileged "Congo" girl and her time at Sugar Beach, Liberia. On Sugar Beach, Helene's family owned a twenty-two room estate of the coast of West Africa. Never would Helene have  imaged that her youth, full of trips to Europe, flashy clothes, crushes, adventure, and wealth, would be destroyed instantly when civil war breaks among the Liberian people. 

At the age of 8, Helene's family take in a foster child, a native Liberian. Eunice is to become Helene's playmate and sister. Eunice's mother is happy to send her daughter to live with the Cooper's in hopes that she will have a better life and receive a first rate education. The two form and instant bond as they share secrets, play foot games, and help fight each others battles. 

The war in Liberia was the cause of racial tension between the wealthy and privileged "Congo" people and native Liberians. The "Congo" race arrived in Liberia in the 1800's as freed black slaves of the United States. On April 20, 1980 a group of rebel soldiers staged a coup, which began with the Liberian president. The struggle only elevates as Helene's uncle is savagely executed before the public and Helene's mother is raped in an attempt to save the innocence of her daughters. The Cooper family is forced to flee Liberian, leaving behind Helene's childhood and beloved sister, Eunice. 

Helene shares her adventures and struggles in The United States; from entering a foreign country, high school, college, and achieving her dreams as a professional journalist for the New York Times. 

I rented the audio version of this book from the public library which is narrated by Helene Cooper herself. Listening made long drives into town so enjoyable. It is neat hearing the author dramatize events from her past in her native Liberian english. This story is captivating! I laughed, cried, as Helene Cooper discover herself in this memoir. 

Pick it up!